September 30, 2023
News

North Korea-China trade climbs to highest level since early 2020: Customs data

Chinese exports to DPRK surge 57% in first quarter of 2022 despite COVID-19 lockdowns near border region

North Korea-China trade recovered to early pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2022, new Chinese data shows, appearing to push ahead despite renewed COVID-19 lockdowns in China. 

According to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC), North Korea imported $57 million worth of goods from China in March 2022, bringing total quarterly imports to $173 million. Pyongyang imported $110 million in the prior quarter.